The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-29
cHAurAuouA.
EXTENT AND INFLUENCE or cHAuTAuoua''
IpEA--wHAr is BEING ACCOMPLISHED, AND
THE PROSPECTS FOR THE ENSUING
CnAnrArorA \. Y Inn

Such Is the liberal spirit OF The tnautdu-
qua management that the new purchase of
lands, costing $1,000, will not add to the in
debtedness OF theplace. Notwithstanding the
large outlay in the way of Improvements it
is still expected that this season and next
will see the place clear of all financial embar-
rassment.
The influence of the Cbautauqua assem-
blies is by no meansi imited TO the grounds
on which they are held. Summer schools
become SO general that they must be regard
esi as a national institution, yet they were not
thought of anywhere till Chautauqua had
made thema practical reality. How much
ofthis is due to the public press it is not easy
to determine, and in this good work the
! HERALD stands second to no other paper.
1 Chautauqua has been criticised, but kindly
and sparingly, the press preierring rather to
1 explain and commend its good qualities To
the world. This large generosity is equaled
only by the liberality of the managers. not
one of whom has ever received in any way a
dollar as salary except the superintendent of
grounds. We affirm, not in deprecating
! spirit, but as AN illustration of the power of
the Chautauqua movement, that the assem-
! blies held in Massachusetts,, California, Flor
ida, Kansas. Tennessee, and many other
states are but its echoes but as snch they
may be of equal significance, and all the
greater will be the credit Of the original as
sembly.
J 4 .,, a,,l
fruitful mind of Lewis Miller of Akron, o..
while in meditative mood at camp-meet-
| ing near Canton, o.. and in spirit of abso-
lutte unselfishness he chose Chautauqua lake
as the place where be would spend thous-
/ ands of dollars in carrying it into effect.
/ The details of the scheme are largely the
work of Dr. J II. Vincent, and the enter
I prise as a whole required rare qualities of
enterprise and daring.
Education has really become the leading
element in the " Chautauqua idea, not that
/ the spiritual or the religious has been aban-
doned Considered as an educational insti-
tuition Chautauqua is very religious, and
considered as a religious assembly it is very
of everything. In speech made from its
/ platform President Garfield said ''since
came upon these grounds one important
1 problem has been solved and that is how
recreation and profit may be combined
/ As seat of learning Chautauqua presents
a scheme that is unique and comprehensive.
| The schools of language constitute the most
! important department First-class scholars
are ON the ground, receiving large salaries,
/ and competent to teach Hebrew, Sanscrit,
Anglo-Saxon. In the past the variety of
attainmeits found among the pupils has been
all comprehensive. Many of them are be-
| ginners. Some are college graduates who
| have become little rusty, many are clergy
men who study nothing but Hebrew or the
! testament and many are college professors.
In numbers the German classes lead, follow
4 ed closely by the French. Sanscrit last year
! had but a single deyotee. 1t will have more
/ in the future Max Muller calls this Ian
giage one of the richest. that was ever spo-
ken. The Vedic literature which Wilson,
/ Bunouff and others found locked up in it,
( is said 10 be immense in quality and great
variety. For two Thousand years b. c. all
/ Hindoo lonpngs found expression in that
language, and was preserved by it. Such
treasures cansot remain hidden.
| In these schools of language books are but
little use, and no word is spoken IN the class
room except of the language studied. What
is called the natural method is pursued
by all the teachers. Many academy teachers
resort 10 Chautauqua to perfect or improve
their own method of teaching. An educa-
ted German is at the head of the German
es his native language. Private students
here seek to correct pronunciation. The pro-
gress the pupils make is often an astonish
ment even TO themselves. They soon find
their minds inclined to think in the Ian
griage they are Studying, and then progress
is rapid.
The beautiful building now in process OF
erection on the supmit is of Moorish design.
1850 by 80 feet, aud has commanding view
of all the northern part of the lake. This
edifice will be three stories high in the cen
ter two in the wings and be used mostly by
the schools of language. As the educational
center it viii contain offices, commodius
library, CRATES, blackboards, pianos, library
and all other necessary appurtenanccs Ii
will be ready for use July lst if the contract
is fulfilled
The French department this year will be
in charge of Prof. a. De Rougeinont of the
Adelbpi Academy, Brooklyn. n Y. with
Mile NJ. Fleurant of Brooklyn as assistant.
Both bring with them the highest recom-
mendation ofcharacter and accomplishments.
The qualifications of the teachers may he
seen in the fact that the books used are
mostly prepared by themselves. OF Prof.
Haepoes Hebrew and Semitic text books
Prof. J. X. Chyene, d. d., of oxford. Eng,
says; s. No better books Introductory to
Hebrew exist" These books present
method OF acquiring knowledge Of langu-
ages essentially different from the methods
in common use. The pupil first gains an
accurate and thorough knowledge of some
of the facts of the language than learns the
principles which these facts teach and by
which they are regulated, and thus he is
furnished with the material by which he
can prosecute his work. and as he progresses
it is constantly increased Students will find
al Chautauqna the books they need.
II may be said that the local Ciautanqua
is finally up and dressed. The grove fiut-
ters in its royal robes ofthe burnt district
only the scar remains. The grounds are
fresh and sweet and clean. The aroma of
thousand flowers floats on the air. At least
two-thiris ofthe cottages are occupied A
chorus OF hammers is heard from early
dawn till twilight The bail will open July
I'd With church congress and musical insti-
ssste. 70 be followed with the National Edu-
cationai association. NJ H. H..
q Attention Fishermen.
Tents seines, nets, fishing tackle, guns, re-
uoIvarn very chean AZ fsrrat Waxf.rn Gur.